CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926 — Page 205

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had given War Office to understand that "provided the

Hong Kong Government concurs in the steps to be taken,

he favoured in principle the creation of some

system whereby naval and military authorities may

work more closely and continuously with the civil

and consular authorities and any other intelligence

organisations with which cooperation would be

advantageous and so improve present intelligence

arrangements in this area". The Governor's

attention was specially drawn to the success of the Singapore Bureau and he was asked for his recommen-

dations.

5) 30 January, 1924. In reply Sir E. Stubbs reported that he was satisfied that present arrange- ments were adequate. The C.I.D. had been strengthened and periodical meetings took place

between the consular and civil authorities and the

naval and military representatives. Cooperation

was complete and this for Hong Kong purposes was

sufficient.

He understood however that it was the wish

of the War Office to make Hong Kong a clearing

house of intelligence for the Far East generally.

But conditions were so different that he did not

think that Hong Kong could establish a Bureau

similar to that at Singapore. Hong Kong was not

in a favourable position to obtain information

to

as the more distant parts of China and unless the

A very costly expedient were adopted of establishing

a special secret service of agents in China, Hong

Kong could only rely for information on His

Majesty's Consuls in China and would be in no

better position to check the accuracy or estimate

the

11628/24.

11628/24.

16323/24.

18358/24.

6323/24 8358/24

the importance of such information. than was the Foreign Office to whom the reports were then sent.

The Hong Kong community would not approve of the establishment of such a Bureau at the expense of the Colony and the Chinese might suspect interference with Chinese politics and be annoyed.

If, however, such a Bureau was really thought desirable the best way to proceed would be through

the Consular Service and he suggested the re-establish- ment of the post of Commercial Secretary of Legation for South China which was then in abeyance. This officer could easily do the work required under cover of his commercial duties and the existence of the Bureau need never be suspected.

6) 25 March 1924. Colonial Office suggests interdepartmental conference to Foreign Office and the

Service Departments.

7) 28th March 1924. Foreign Office write semi-officially saying that they understand that there is now complete cooperation at Hong Kong and in view of Sir E. Stubbs' view that the present arrangements are adequate, so far as Hong Kong is concerned, they suggest the matter should be dropped.

8) 4th April, 1924. War Office press for formation of Bureau and welcome suggestion that member of Consular Service should be selected for the

purpose.

9) 11th April 1924. Similar letter from

Admiralty.

10) 12th April, 1934. War Office

23rd April,

reply

Admiralty

told in that Secretary of State proposed to take the

first opportunity of discussing the matter with the

Governor when he came on leave.

11)

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